Graham Michael Harrell arrived Oct. 1, 2008 at 1:46 pm weighing in at 10 lbs and 22 1/2 inches long.
Ok, so maybe I was in denial and I really was just THAT big! Now, I can understand a little bit more about why people were asking me if I was having twins. Here I am outside the hospital.
My delivery went great and very fast...thank the lord! After being at the Dr. on Tuesday, I knew I was getting very close. In the middle of the night I was beginning to think that maybe my water was leaking. My contractions were not consistent, so for that reason I did not want to go to the hospital. Finally, at about 5 am I call the Dr. to ask about this "water breaking thing." She suggested that I go on in. I waited several hours but did not want to go. But even my crying fit did not stop Michael and my mom from telling me that I didn't have a choice, that I was going to the hospital. Even after arriving at the hospital my contractions were still very irregular, and they were not sure if I would stay. Once again I declared that I was leaving and going home. After checking me a short time later the nurse said I was definitely staying and the Dr. was coming to break my water. I was dilated to 7 when she came in around 12:30 to do so and it was after that I really started hurting. The nurse said I could walk around for about 45 minutes and that she would check me again. After only about 15 minutes she came in and I told her I was hurting really bad and that I didn't know if I could do it (without any drugs). She told me I could and would check on me in about 30. I knew at that point I would not make it that long. The baby nurse came in to get my fingerprints and signature and I told her to get Rosie (my nurse). Rosie came in and I told her I needed to push. She told me to get on the bed. I felt like I couldn't because my labor was in my back and it hurt to lie down. Again she yelled for me to "Get on the bed, We are having a baby!" She called all the nurses and for the Dr. She literally came running down the hall and it was only a few minutes later that baby Graham arrived. They all kept talking about what a "Whopper" he is and how "huge" he is. The Dr. was so excited to see how much he weighed. The nurses said they didn't have time to get the scales in so she went and got it herself.
We have been blessed beyond belief and I am so thankful to have such an amazing family. Once again, Michael was such a trooper. He didn't know whether to "rub my back, don't rub my back", "fan me, don't fan me", "talk to me or shut up." I am sure he is glad Graham came fast too!:) Seriously, there is no other person I can imagine by my side. He is an amazing father and I am so proud to have him as my husband. I also don't know what we would have done without the grandparents here to take care of Lila. It was so nice to know that Lila was getting all kinds of extra attention and love since we could not be there. All my fears of worrying about her with the new baby are gone out the window. She has been amazing and loves to kiss and love on her "baby boy". We just have to make sure that all that love doesn't consist of poking out his "eyes" and honking his nose. I also am pretty certain that she knows how much we still love her too and hasn't acted jealous of him...yet.
So now it is back to worrying if he is getting enough to eat, sleep, etc. AAHH..it never ends.
These sleepless nights will soon pass too, right? I can't complain too much because these are the sweet cheeks I am getting to hold and love and kiss on, even when he is screaming. By the way...the boy has a pair of lungs on him!!
